Radio host defends wearing blackface, making racial comments

It didn't take long for a racially controversial routine to emerge in the local media after the landmark success of Barack Obama's election Tuesday as the nation's first black president.

The moment came at 6 a.m. Wednesday, when WWBA-AM 820 morning man Mark Larsen, who is white, dressed in blackface makeup at the start of his show.

Joined by the station's news director, Roger Schulman, Larsen joked about caking on the cosmetics and launched a number of racially influenced comments. Fans could watch the whole process via an in-studio Webcam.

"This gives me that Uncle Tom feel," said Larsen, who also joked about changing his name to Marcus Washington Larsen. "Are you sure this comes off? Because I don't feel like running for president."

Before Tuesday's election, Larsen talked about seeing a long line of black people waiting to vote at a Tampa Bay area polling place, saying they "looked like the line for takeout at Big Tim's Barbecue" in St. Petersburg.

And shortly after putting on the blackface makeup Wednesday, he told a caller he presumed to be black that "You love (America) because you have a man of color going to the White House. Before that, you probably were a malcontent."

"I wasn't making fun of black people," he said, noting that he was fulfilling a bet he made last year that he would wear blackface if America elected a politician named Barack Hussein Obama.

Bruce Maduri, president of WWBA owner Genesis Communications, spent the day in Melbourne and did not hear the routine.

"Knowing Mark, he's one of the least racial people I know," Maduri said. "I'm sure it probably was a bit that went bad."

"If Dave Chappelle can wear whiteface and make fun of white people, then I should be able to do this," noted the host, who stressed his libertarian political views, saying he would have voted for black Republicans such as Colin Powell or Condoleezza Rice.

"The point I'm making is there's a double standard here, and I don't abide by the double standard," Larsen added.

But there is a difference in wearing makeup to play a character of a different race — as Fred Armisen (Obama on Saturday Night Live) and Robert Downey Jr. (as a white "method" actor playing a black man in the Ben Stiller film Tropic Thunder) have done.

Donning the historic "blackface" makeup conjures an image symbolizing stereotypes of black people perpetuated in theater and film in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Beginning in the 1800s, white performers used blackface makeup, raggedy clothes and white-painted lips to play character called "coons." These figures were the stars of minstrel shows caricaturing black people as lazy, uneducated, superstitious, musical and childlike — all the stereotypes black people continue to fight.

Talk radio has taken some criticism during the presidential election for racially insensitive language — from some hosts' insistence that Obama supporters might riot on Election Day to conservative Rush Limbaugh's parody song Barack the Magic Negro, based on a line from a Los Angeles Times column.

Still, Larsen insisted he was not trying to evoke long-held stereotypes or racist imagery in his on-air jokes. A broadcaster for nearly 30 years, he once drew criticism during a stint on WFLA-AM 970 for a Wednesday "Humpday" news segment featuring bizarre stories lampooning gay people.

"What I did today was knuckleheaded and goofy, but … it wasn't a big deal to me," Larsen said. "I want to make it abundantly clear, I'm not on any mission to disparage anyone. I just don't play double standards."

Eric Deggans can be reached at deggans@sptimes.com or (727) 893-8521. See his blog at blogs.tampabay.com/media.

Comments on this article

by Nelson	Nov 7, 2008 12:59 PM
MJ Kelly 93.3 FLZ is pulling the same racist stuff he actually said that police were preparing for riots and Pinellas County and even said that Obama first move would be to send all white people to the field to pick cotton. FIRE THEM BOTH !

by Charli Ho	Nov 7, 2008 12:15 PM
Irish Mike. Seems like you have a miscomception of Black people. Who do think got up off theire asses and tolied the fields to put food and clothes on your lily white ass? Blacks whine because you wine and dine on their hard work and recive zippo bac

by Charli Ho	Nov 7, 2008 12:07 PM
Six years in Europe, two tours in Viet Nam protecting the American people to comeback here and see these nitwits like these two do something as assine as this, makes us look like the real UGLY AMERICANS to othe countries. All involved should be fired

by Harold	Nov 7, 2008 11:48 AM
I'm tired of people referencing slavery. It ended 100+ years ago. It's easier for people to whine about perceived racism and slights than to get off their ass and work to improve the conditions in this country.

by John	Nov 7, 2008 9:23 AM
LC, Ever heard of the movie "white girls" two black guys white themselves up and pretend they are white sorority girls. It seems to me in that movie they poked fun at the stereotypical white sorority girls. Why is that not racist?

by GVAC	Nov 7, 2008 9:23 AM
Good Betty.Boycott his advertisers. Who cares.Im sick of the double standard in this country.Get aquainted with the first amendment.If you dont like it then TURN THE DIAL.GLAD TO SEE YOU MENTIONED YOU'RE WHITE. A LITTLE WHITE GUILT MAYBE??

by Gregg	Nov 7, 2008 9:17 AM
Betty: You probably have never heard of Larsen before today and have no idea what his personal socialogical views are. And since you probably don't listen to WWBA you don't even know who their advertisers are! I know I don't, but I soon will.

by Mo	Nov 7, 2008 9:17 AM
The point people are missing here is there is a difference in "blackface" and making yourself look like a black person. Blackface and carrying on about chicken? Anyone not seeing it for what that was is foolish. Oh Harry technically BO is biracial

by IT	Nov 7, 2008 9:17 AM
Who cares. I am black and you gave him what he wanted publicity. I might be offended but, I feel pity for people like this. Pray for them and move on. Don't let them divide you and fight. He is not worth it.

by Sue	Nov 7, 2008 9:16 AM
Enough of the double standards. We need a NAAWP to help Larsen out here.

by Chris	Nov 7, 2008 9:16 AM
I didn't hear it directly but it sounds like racism to me. You'd at least think that some of these people would change b/c of what just came to pass. The FCC needs to hear more about it.

by NINJA	Nov 7, 2008 9:16 AM
Hey Joseph, my ancestors fought to end slavery. They also fought for the right to free speach, democracy, and freedom of religion. All of which are in serious jepordy with the extreme liberal government Barack will impose. Watch his judicial appts

by John	Nov 7, 2008 9:16 AM
LC, Ever heard of the movie "white girls" two black guys white themselves up and pretend they are white sorority girls. It seems to me in that movie they poked fun at the stereotypical white sorority girls. Why is that not racist?

by John	Nov 7, 2008 9:16 AM
When Chris Rock,Dave Chappelle and others make fun of white people its ok. I just dont get it, people make fun of Italians,Irish Greek etc. Please Please get a thicker skin or tell Chris Rock and others to cut it out also. God Bless America.

by Gregg	Nov 7, 2008 8:43 AM
I loved it when Obama was asked by Jon Stewart if his being 1/2 white tempted him not to vote for himself! Obama laughed as he considered the notion.. btw: not only did I vote for him, I contributed as best I could to his campaign; and I like Larsen.

by Public	Nov 7, 2008 8:43 AM
Molly, terrible analysis. So black voters in general could not simply relate to Obama's plan over Mcain's? Kerry, Gore plans didn't connect as well to many people, black and white. Jesse Jackson did not win his bid. The message is the difference.

by paul	Nov 7, 2008 8:43 AM
How is Mark Larsen? Never heard of him or his radio show.

by Wont Buy from Larsen Sponsors	Nov 7, 2008 8:42 AM
Mark Larsen has called Senator Obama a "terrorist" throughout the campaign. To his sponsors, including Knology, and Bay City Plywood - you will not have my business if Mr. Larsen is you representative!

by Erika	Nov 7, 2008 8:42 AM
There is a way to do sophisticated humor about race, but Larsen clearly isn't bright enough to pull it off. However, he's probably thrilled that his low-rent stunt has inspired a "debate."

by M	Nov 7, 2008 8:42 AM
Does this really surprise anyone? With satellite radio now, these local AM frequency talk-radio dj's are doing ANYTHING to get attention.

by Mike	Nov 7, 2008 8:42 AM
Cute. What's next? White robe and pointy white hood?

by Dalea	Nov 7, 2008 8:42 AM
Dear CBT- Ever hear of the Egyptians (that's in Africa, BTW) enslaving the Jews "back in the day"? Do you people wake up each day looking for some way to be offended? Buffoons come in all races, grow up and get a spine.

by Kelly	Nov 7, 2008 8:42 AM
Stereotyping is not racism! Get over it people. I am so sick of the double standard and the PC of it all.

by kevin	Nov 7, 2008 8:42 AM
Everything aside.. it just isn't funny.

by Billy Bob	Nov 7, 2008 8:42 AM
This makes me sick! Black people are BEYOND racist. They make white people racial slurs all the TIME. Can we have WHITE people history month? Obama is BI-RACIAL. He's just as much white as he is black. People need to shut up with the BLACK MAN crap.

by Boycott 820	Nov 7, 2008 8:41 AM
Time to hit 820 in its wallets. Don't listen. Don't support Larsen's sponsors!

by Brent	Nov 7, 2008 8:41 AM
His only crime is being unfunny. It's a common problem within the wacky morning zoo community.

by Joseph	Nov 6, 2008 12:54 PM
When you and your ancestors live through slavery and jim crow as a black man who is discriminated agianst because of his race race, you can tell me I am being "overly sensitive". Stop lying and stealing what you are too ignorant and lazy tc earn.

by Betty	Nov 6, 2008 12:54 PM
Mark Larson, have you ever even cracked open a history book? What an ignorant man to put on black face (the very symbol of minstral shows) and talk of BBQ and free checks. I am one white person who is boycotting your advertisers now.

by Rich	Nov 6, 2008 12:53 PM
I hate to say it, but I'm white and love Big Tim's Barbeque. I stop in every chance I get. What's wrong with loving good barbeque?

by Molly	Nov 6, 2008 12:53 PM
WM-- a lot of black voters did only vote with Obama b/c he was black. evidenced by the fact they turned out in record numbers to vote... they didn't do that for kerry, or gore... what's the difference? skin color. had they voted in 2000, no bush.

by Edwina	Nov 6, 2008 12:53 PM
Harry, You're got it half right: I have a right to react however I darn well please. The paper has take the time to give the history behind 'blackface.' I defy you to tell me that it is not racist and Mark Larsens comments are horrid.

by rob	Nov 6, 2008 12:21 PM
well, he got what he was after, publicity. he obviously is a jerk but there's a lot of them in the world. Don't listen to him or don't be so sensitive. we have huge problems confronting us in this country, let's treat this with the attention it dese

by Harry	Nov 6, 2008 12:19 PM
Get over it black people and liberals - this Country ought to be able to say anything they darn well wish w/o someone getting upset. Call me " WHITEY ", and I have and I don't get bent out of shape. BO is black, so what, GWB is white, so what.

by WM	Nov 6, 2008 9:20 AM
It isn't the make up alone that is the problem here. It is his comments that suggest that black voters can't simply agree with platform of Obama,mindlessly vote based on skin color, are malcontents, don't support the US, etc. This was no "bit" AM620